History of Network Ten

Company History

The first of the stations that are part of today's Network Ten began broadcasting in 1959, as ADS-7 in Adelaide (now ADS-10). ATV-0 (later ATV-10) began broadcasting in Melbourne in 1964, the year of The Beatles visit. The following year, TEN hit the airwaves in Sydney, with a variety spectacular “TV Spells Magic,” along with TVQ-0 (later TVQ-10) in Brisbane. NEW-10 Perth began broadcasting in 1988.

What is today's Network Ten was created in 1995 with the purchase of the Adelaide and Perth stations – ADS-10 and NEW-10.

Always the innovator, TEN was the first station to broadcast television in colour in 1975 and has lead the way toward the introduction of digital television on January 1, 2001.

It's been a long road from 1956. Here are some of the TEN milestones along the way.

Click on a year for more detail.

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1995 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962

2008

JANUARY

TEN and Foxtel secure Australian broadcast rights to the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games

FEBRUARY

TEN secures exclusive five-year Australian broadcast rights to the new Indian Premier League Cricket competition

APRIL

TEN launches the major sustainability initiative,
'Making Your Mark'

2007

JANUARY

TEN extends relationship with CBS Paramount International Television, acquiring exclusive Australian broadcast rights to CBS News and factual programming, Dr Phil and the Late Show with David Letterman

TEN becomes first Australian network
to premiere a new TV series on the web with season two
launch episode of Supernatural

AUGUST

TEN and Foxtel announce TEN's signal will be retransmitted on the Foxtel digital platform.

Following the exchange of security interests previously held by the CanWest Group of Companies for new shares issued by Ten Holdings, CanWest's interest in Ten Holdings is approximately 56 per cent of the total shares on issue.

DECEMBER

TEN finishes 2007 ratings year with its all-time high commercial prime time share in its target 18-49 demographic (34.5%). TEN also wins its seventh consecutive year in 16-39, and wins daytime in all major demos.

TEN launches TEN-HD, Australia's newest digital channel and TEN's first digital multi-channel, in stunning High Definition

2006

 

TEN and the Seven Network secure the broadcast rights for AFL from 2007-2011.

TEN, along with FOXTEL, secures a long-term supply agreement with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution.

Eye Corp enters the European airport advertising market with their appointment to manage the rights for advertising and promotions at Manchester Airport, Nottingham East Midlands Airport and Humberside Airport.

Eye Corp announces establishment of its North American operation with the 100% acquisition of the shopping mall advertising business, previously conducted by Media Choice LLC.

Eye Corp announces the acquisition of Ultimate Media Group's University media portfolio known as Unilites.

Eye Corp is appointed as the preferred media supplier for The Macerich Company, one of the largest regional shopping groups in the United States.

Federal Government's media reform package passes, set to become law in 2007.

JANUARY

Ten secures rights to Australian Rules Football (AFL) for
a further five years (2007 - 2011)

MAY

TEN secures long-term rights to new network television
series from Twentieth Century Fox (commencing in
September
2007)

NOVEMBER

TEN secures Australian free-to-air broadcast rights to
the 2007 Rugby World Cup

DECEMBER

TEN wins ratings year in 18-49 demographic for the frst

time

TEN wins sixth consecutive ratings year in 16-39, with the Network's highest ever commercial share and lead in that demographic

TEN announces its large-scale digital media business
will launch in February 2007

2005

 

John McAlpine retires and Grant Blackley is appointed Chief Executive Officer of TEN Television.

Eye Corp announces acquisition of 100% of Southcoast Outdoor Pty Ltd.

Eye Corp is awarded the contract to manage the advertising concession at Singapore Changi Airport.

Ten announces the issue of A$150m ten-year floating rate senior unsecured notes in the United States private placement debt market.

JANUARY

TEN joins the 9 and 7 networks in a historic joint national appeal to aid victims of the Asian tsunami disaster. Australia Unites – Reach Out to Asia broadcast on 8 January to a cumulative audience of 8.6 million viewers.

MAY

TEN renews its agreement to broadcast the annual ARIA music Awards for another three years.

JULY

John McAlpine retires as CEO of Network Ten. He is succeeded by Grant Blackley, formerly general manager – network sales.

AUGUST

TEN concludes a multi-year program supply agreement with Reveille Distribution, one of the most prolific independent US producers of network television.

OCTOBER

TEN announces GMA with Bert Newton will not return in 2006 – following 14 years on air and 3200 episodes.

Jim Carroll is appointed to the newly created role of Head of News.

TEN Network Holdings delivers standout financial performance with record revenue, earnings, profit and margins in the 2005 financial year.

NOVEMBER

TEN wins its fifth consecutive ratings year in its target 16-39 demographic, with a 36.6% share.

2004

  Eye Corp announces acquisition of the remaining 50% of Eye Shop Pty Ltd.

JANUARY

Network Ten launches ttn (The Total News), a new
weekly news program aimed at primary school children.

JULY

Shaun James, chairman and CEO of Warner Music Australasia, is appointed deputy general manager -network sales.

Half way through the official 2004 ratings period,
TEN leads the race in its core 16 to 39 demographic
and is substantially ahead of Seven in 25 to 54.

SEPTEMBER

Big Brother will return to TEN in 2005

TEN acquires The X Factor, to air early 2005.

Eye Corp acquires the advertising rights to New Zealand's premier airport, Auckland International.

Eye Corp acquires the remaining 50% interest in Eye Shop held by Village Roadshow Limited.

2003

 

TEN increases its stake in Global Television Ltd to 24.316%

TEN announces the issue of US$125m ten-year senior unsecured notes in the United States private placement debt market.

TEN secures a new five-year $700m syndicated revolving cash advance facility to replace the former $700m facility.

JANUARY

Tim Lane leaves ABC radio and television and joins
Network Ten's AFL commentary team.

FEBRUARY

TEN gains the Australian broadcast rights to the FIA
Formula One World Championship for 2003 through
2005

MARCH

The Ten Group Pty Ltd announces that it has successfully
placed US$125 million ten-year senior unsecured notes
in the United States private placement market

MAY

For the first time ever in the history of the AFL home and
away season, TEN broadcasts a non-Brisbane Lions game in
prime time - Adelaide v Collingwood

JUNE

Ten Network Holdings Limited announces interim and final
dividend payments will be brought forward to January and
July, respectively each year, in line with the traditional
timetables of Australia's major public listed companies

AUGUST

Australian Idol premieres with 1.65m viewers

SEPTEMBER

Network Ten's broadcast of AFL Grand Final Brisbane v Collingwood is the most watched AFL Grand Final in history in Melbourne and Brisbane and second most watched Grand Final in history (behind the Kangaroos v Sydney in 1996)

Network Ten announces the launch of ttn (The Total News),
to air in 2004

OCTOBER

Israel Asper, the founder & chairman of Canwest Global Communications Corporation and a pivotal figure in TEN's history, passes away

Ten Network Holdings Ltd announces record revenue and
earnings for the 2003 financial year

NOVEMBER

Network Ten wins its third consecutive ratings year in its target 16 to 39 demographic, with a 37.1% national commercial share

Australian Idol - The Final Verdict is watched by 3.3m viewers,
with a peak of 3.65m viewers, making it the most watched
program of 2003 in 16 to 39

DECEMBER

Ten Network Holdings Ltd announces record revenue and earnings in the first quarted of 2004 financial year

Kerry Kingston is promoted to chief operating officer of
Network Ten

2002

 

TEN announces acquisition of remaining 40% of Eye Corp.

JANUARY

Good Morning Australia celebrates ten years on TEN.

MARCH

The Panel begins its fifth season on TEN.

Network Ten secures the Australian rights to the Moto GP
through 2004 and the 2002 World Superbike Championship.

APRIL

Big Brother II launches, with more than 2 million viewers tuning in to the first episode.

Network Ten commissions 20 episodes of the local police
drama series White Collar Blue, to be produced by Knapman
Wyld Television.

MAY

TEN signs a new deal with Paramount International Television for the exclusive supply of network television series from 2004.

Neighbours airs its 4,000th episode, making it Australia's
longest running drama series.

JUNE

Network Ten acquires the US's most talked about cable series
The Osbournes.

JULY

Totally Wild enters its tenth year of production.

Network Ten announces the production of a new two-part
mini-series After the Deluge, to air on Ten in 2003.

AUGUST

Celebrity Big Brother for Charity raises more than $900,000 for the Starlight Foundation and Ronald McDonald Houses.

TEN secures the remaining 40% of Eye Corp, bringing its shareholding to 100%.

TEN settles a long-running dispute with the Australian
Tax Office.

SEPTEMBER

Filming begins in Sydney on the telemovie BlackJack to air on TEN in 2003.

TEN airs its first AFL Grand Final, with a national peak of
3.4 million viewers tuning in to watch Brisbane take the cup
over Collingwood.

NOVEMBER

TEN and Universal extend licensing agreement for exclusive
Network television rights to Universal titles in Australia

DECEMBER

For the second consecutive year, TEN wins the ratings year in
its core 16-39 demo, with a national commercial primetime
share of 37.4%

2001

 

Consortium including Network Ten wins the broadcast rights for AFL from 2002-2006.

TEN secures a $200m increase to its syndicated loan facility, increasing it to $700m.

TEN and Village Roadshow close down SCAPE.

TEN sells 14.4% shareholding in Southern Cross Broadcasting.

Gerry Thorley appointed Chief Executive Officer of Eye Corp.

Nick Falloon is appointed Executive Chairman of TEN and Ten Holdings.

JANUARY

Digital broadcasting launches in Australian metropolitan markets.

TEN, along with the Nine Network and Foxtel, secure broadcast rights for AFL football for seasons 2002 - 2006 inclusive. TEN enjoys exclusive live free-to-air broadcast rights for the finals series, including the Grand Final.

TEN broadcasts its first multiview event since the launch of digital television in Australia, with the final round of the Canon Challenge.

TEN transmits Australia's first native high definition digital
broadcast with the Young Australian of the Year Award.

MARCH

TEN and Village Roadshow cease the operations of their
online company, Scape.

APRIL

The hit reality program, Big Brother launches on TEN, with
83% recognition within the 16 to 39 audience before the
first episode goes to air.

JUNE

TEN announces Australia's first-ever auction of prime
television advertising time., through www.buyten.com.au.

JULY

2.8 million viewers tune into the Big Brother final eviction,
which becomes 2001's highest-rating non-sporting event.

Buyten achieves $1million in electronic bookings.

AUGUST

TEN sells its 14% shareholding in Southern Cross Broadcasting.

TEN secures the rights to Big Brother II and Celebrity Big Brother.

TEN secures telecast rights to Australia's premier motorsport category, V8 Supercars, for five years.

Gerry Thorley, previously TEN's general manager - network
operations, is appointed chief executive officer of Eye Corp.

DECEMBER

TEN ends 2001 ratings period number one in the 16 to 39 demographic.

Nick Falloon is appointed executive chairman of Ten Network
Holdings and the TEN Group.

2000

 

TEN obtains an unsecured $500m cash advance facility from a consortium of banks, to replace the earlier facility.

SCAPE, online joint venture with Village Roadshow is launched.

TEN announces acquisition of 60% of Eye Corp, Australia's second largest out-of-home advertising company.

1999

FEBRUARY

Good News Week begins the first of two successful
seasons on TEN.

APRIL

The TEN Staff Enterprise Agreement is renewed in all sites for a further 3 years.

TEN launches its internet site at www.ten.com.au

MAY

TEN airs the 1000th episode of Cheez TV.

OCTOBER

Ten announces on-line joint venture, Scape, with Village
Roadshow

1998

   

MARCH

Ten Network Holdings Ltd is floated giving all employees
the chance to own shares in TEN's ultimate holding
company

MAY

Ten Network Holdings Ltd lists on the Australian Stock Exchange

JULY

The Government introduces legislation to facilitate the
transition to digital television broadcasting from 1
January 2001

NOVEMBER

Good Morning Australia celebrated 1500 episodes.

TEN broadcasts the Melbourne Cup for the 21st time.

1995

 

TEN acquires an 8% stake in Global Television Ltd (previously Television & Media Services), and a 14.9% stake in Southern Cross Broadcasting and Telecasters Australia Limited.

TEN purchases ADS Adelaide and NEW Perth from Capital Television to re-establish a national network.

TEN obtains $400m banking facility allowing it to repay existing facility and providing capacity for future corporate development.

APRIL

TEN's staff celebrated the station's 30th birthday.

TEN acquired 8% in Television Media Services (Global
Television) as consideration of the sale of the TEN
outside broadcast fleet and other broadcast assets
along with the lease of the Nunawading Studios in
Melbourne.

JULY

TVQ staff celebrated the station's 30th Anniversary

Channel TEN, along with consortium partners Canwest
& Scandanavian Broadcasting System lodged the highest
bid for the fifth free-to-air television licence for the UK.
The Independent Television Commission awarded the
licence to an alternative syndicate.

OCTOBER

TEN acquired a 14.9% interest in both Southern Cross Broadcasting and Telecasters Australia.

TEN had coverage of the 1995 Rugby World Cup from
 South Africa.

NOVEMBER

Construction of TEN's new headquarters at Saunders Street, Pyrmont, Sydney began.

TEN was the first commercial network to establish an
Enterprise Agreement

DECEMBER

TEN was re-established as a complete Network with the
purchase of ADS Adelaide and NEW Perth from Capital
Television.

1989

JANUARY

Northern Star Holdings purchased Network TEN Qld Limited from Darling Downs Television.

Channel TEN stations in Adelaide, Perth and Canberra
were sold to Capital Television.

SEPTEMBER

Westfield announced it would sell 51.3% of Northern Star
- 19.7% to interests associated with Broadcom & 31.6%
to institutional investors..

1988

JANUARY

Channel 10 telecast the Royal Bicentennial Concert from Sydney Harbour in celebration of Australia's Bicentennial Year.

TEN has live coverage of the 1988 Olympic Games from Seoul, South Korea. To raise money for the Olympics, the TEN network runs a telethon on May 20.

NEW Perth began telecasting for the first time - the telethon was their first program.

ADS10 commenced production of what would become Australia's first "P" classified program. Originally scheduled for a five year run, delays by rival net works in securing "P" classified programs, would see Mulligrubs in the TEN Network schedule for eight years.

TVQ was appointed the official telecasters to World
Expo 88 - one of the major events celebrating Australia's
bi-centenary. A working television Newsroom was the major
feature of the display. The complete Newsroom, equipment
and staff were relocat ed to the Expo site at Southbank a
few weeks before the opening date of April 30, and
remained at the site until October 30.

SEPTEMBER

Universal Telecasters Qld Limited changed its company
name to Network TEN Qld Limited.

TVQ changed their frequency signal from "0" to "10", and
switched to 24 hour transmission.

1987

 

News Corporation sells its shares in TEN Sydney and Melbourne to Westfield Capital Corporation, which already holds a 20% stake in Northern Star Holdings.

Northern Star holdings purchased NEW Perth, ADS Adelaide and CTC Canberra, making the company Australia's only five metropolitan city network.

Darling Downs Television bought TEN Brisbane from Qintex.

United Telecasters Qld Limited changes its company name to Network TEN Qld Limited.

Northern Star Holdings purchases TEN Brisbane from Darling Downs Television.

TEN stations in Adelaide, Perth and Canberra are sold to Capital Television, owned by Charles Curran.

Westfield announces it will sell its 51.3% of Northern Star - 19.7% to interests associated with Broadcom, and 31.6% to investors.

Northern Star Holdings and subsidiaries go into receivership, under the control of Ernst and Young.

Westpac negotiates a debt for equity swap with receivers, securing ownership.

A consortium including Canwest acquires TEN from Westpac.

JANUARY

News Corporation sold its shares in Network Ten Holdings to Westfield Capital Corporation, who already owned 20% of Northern Star Holdings. The deal earned News Corporation $840 million.

Northern Star Holdings purchased NEW Perh, ADS Adelaide and CTC Canberra making the company Australia's only five metropolitan city network.

Darling Downs Television acquired TVQ from Quintex.

Northern Star's purchase of ADS resulted in an historic frequency swap. At midnight on 26th December 1987, ADS7 became ADS10. The frequency swap between the rival Seven and Ten stations in the Adelaide market is believed to be a world first.

TEN telecast the first Friday Night Football rugby league match.

Video Hits was launched.

National aggregation was set up for country viewers.

1986

JANUARY

TEN took over the rights to Neighbours - a Grundy production previously telecast on Channel 7 - and turned it into a ratings winner. Neighbours won its first Logie Award with the "Most Popular New Talent" - Peter O'Brien, and also won a Penguin Award for Best Drama Series.

Westfield Holdings Limited purchased shares in Northern Star Holdings Limited anticipating a media shake-up.

TEN produced a live broadcast of the Kangaroo Tour from the UK.

The Kids Telethon on TEN raised over one million dollars for the Prince Of Wales Children's Hospital and the Royal Institute For Deaf & Blind Children.

Prisoner concluded after winning 22 major awards

1985

-

News Corporation sold the licensee stations in Sydney and Melbourne to Network TEN Holdings Limited. The Sydney station remained UTSL.

Several mini series including Dirtwater Dynasty, Bodyline and The Cowra Breakout were commissioned.

TEN telecast the first Monday Night Football rugby
league match.

1984

JUNE

The 1984 National Olympic Telethon was held by TEN in February. This was the first ever National telethon and the first telethon to raise money for an Olympic team. Perfect Match began and regularly achieved ratings above
30.

Christopher Skase's Qintex Group purchased Channel 0 from Ampol and 2SM.

The Network telecast more than 300 hours of the Los Angeles Olympics. This telecast was the biggest and longest television coverage of any sporting event ever provided to an Australian audience..

TEN's new lines room supplied feeds to all of Australia.

SEPTEMBER

It's A Knockout was produced by Grundys for Network
TEN. The production had huge sets and was a seven camera
outside broadcast, taped in the Sydney suburb of Dural.

1983

JULY

The television translator at Tambourine Mountain commenced operation allowing Brisbane's signal to be telecast to the Gold Coast region.

TEN acquired the rights to Winfield Cup Rugby League.

1981

-

Network TEN had coverage of the FIFA World Youth Soccer Championship.

This was the biggest coverage of a sporting event ever
attempted by an Australian television network.
TEN launched Carson's Law.

1980

JANUARY

ATV Melbourne changed their frequency from 0 to 10.

MAY

Ansett Transport Industries sold Channel 0 to Ampol
Petroleum Limited (66%) and Broadcasting Station 2SM
Pty Ltd (34%).

1979

-

News Corporation acquired a controlling interest in Channel TEN in Sydney and through its investment in Ansett Transport Industries, 50% interest in Channel 10 Melbourne. The cost of the investment was $120 million.

Prisoner was launched. The show received the 1980 Logie Award for the "Most Popular Drama Series" and "Most Popular Show".

Production of children's television program Simon Townsend's Wonder World commenced in Sydney.

65% of total operating costs were spent on the purchase and
production of programs.

1978

MARCH

73% of Australian television viewers have colour sets.

The Darryl & Ossie Show began production at ATV in Melbourne. ATV launched Melbourne's first five night a week one hour news service - News At Six.

Blankety Blanks, hosted by Graham Kennedy was consistently the highest rating 7pm program.

TEN became the first station in Australia to telecast Sydney News events live-to-air on a regular basis from Live-Eye vehicles designed by TEN.

TEN took on the coverage of the Australian Indoor Tennis.

1977

-

Number 96 ends production.

The Restless Years and Chopper Squad began production.

Benny Hill produced the Benny Hill Show from TEN's North Ryde Studio. This was the first time Benny agreed to produce his show outside of the UK..

Channel 10 telecast Roots, which broke all time television viewing records in Australia.

The most popular overseas programs shown on the Network this year included M*A*S*H, Kojak, Bionic Woman, The Rockford Files and The Waltons.

Appointment of the first female news presenter to Eyewitness News - Katrina Lee.

The first year of TEN's exclusive Melbourne Cup telecasts.

1976

-

Television history was made when The Ernie Sigley Show was presented live on location for a week each from Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Production of variety and specials continued with the production of Pot Of Gold and Carols By Candlelight.

Number 96 celebrated its 1000th show.

1975

-

Channel TEN led the way in Sydney Prime Time Audience ratings throughout the year. TEN Sydney's Studio B was completed as the first colour studio, and Channel 10 was the first station to go to air in colour. 12% of Sydney homes had colour sets by August, 1975.

Channel TEN Sydney broke new ground by introducing a one-
hour news service called Eyewitness Newshour.

1974

-

Regular programs being produced by TEN include Number 96, The Mike Walsh Show, The Box, Matlock Police and Young Talent Time.

AMCO Cup midweek Rugby League begins.

Film and slide labs converted to colour operations.

TVQ telecasts its first News service.

The Mike Walsh Show, a Monday to Friday daytime variety
show was launched.

1973

-

The Box premiered on February 11. At the Logie Awards
Number 96 was awarded the Best New Drama and Pat
McDonald was named the Best Australian Actress.

1972

-

Network TEN purchased the rights to Number 96.

1971

APRIL

The highly successful Moneymakers was the first program to
be produced locally for national distribution and was the first
program in Australia to be broadcast in the 7pm slot five
nights a week.ATV launched Matlock Police and Young Talent
Time hosted by Johnny Young.

1970

FEBRUARY

Ansett Transport acquires the remaining shares in Universal
Tellecasters Qld Limited. This subsidiary company of Ansett
Transport Industries was one of two television outlets
controlled by that organistaion

1966

JULY

TVQ technicians visited approx 14,000 homes across Brisbane on an intensive promotional and conversion program to provide the necessary facilities to allow reception of the "0" frequency. A 93.6% conversion factor was achieved.

ATV launched The Barry Crocker Show which was a Saturday
night variety show featuring such personalities as Johnny
O'Keefe and Col Joye.

1969

-

ATV launched the Sound of Music hosted by Bobby Limb.

1965

APRIL

TEN's Station Opening. The station's official opening program
was a one-hour variety spectacular, TV Spells Magic, which
was produced at a cost of £25,000. TEN's Master Control was
the first in Australia to use automated presentation.

JULY

TVQ-0, Channel 0, commenced transmission in Brisbane. 43
hours per week were telecast in TVQ's first year.

SEPTEMBER

ATV premiered Showcase '65, hosted by Gordon Bray.Mike
Walsh first appeared on ATV as host of a variety show Ten On
The Town. Other production included Magic Circle with hostess
Nancy Cato.

1964

 

TEN begins broadcasting in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Adelaide with Ansett Transport Industries as the major shareholders in United Telecasters.

News Corporation acquires a controlling interest in TEN Sydney, and through its investment in Ansett, a 50% stake in TEN Melbourne.

Ansett sells Channel 10 Brisbane to Ampol and Radio Station 2SM.

Skase's Qintex Group purchases Channel 10 Brisbane from Ampol and 2SM.

JANUARY

Discussions regarding construction of the new station at
North Ryde took place at the UTSL Board Meeting. The
construction budget was £603,050 with a £20,000
contingency. The building was to be completed by
December 1, 1964 with the target "on-air" date nominated
at March 1, 1965.

FEBRUARY

The UTSL Board approved the purchase of transmission, OB and studio equipment from Marconi and A.W.A at a total cost of £484,000. This order was later increased to a total of £502,097.

The licence to operate Brisbane's third
commercial television station was granted to Universal
Telecasters Queensland Limited.

APRIL

Ansett Transport Industries were the major shareholders of Universal Telecasters Qld Limited with a 49% interest.

The Postmaster General advised TEN that it is to have 50%
Australian programs after the completion of 12 months of
operation - with two hours each week in the 7.30 9.30pm
time slot.

JUNE

A letter from AWA tabled at the UTSL Board meeting, confirmed that the total technical installation costs for the new building would be £44,000. UTSL, at AWA's suggestion appointed their own staff for the installation.

Austarama Television (ATV), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Ansett Transport Industries was officially opened.

AUGUST

The pop show GO was launched on ATV. Alan Field compered
the first show, then in 1965 Ian Turpie took over as host and
brought faces like Colleen Hewitt and OliviaNewton-John to the
screen.

NOVEMBER

In Sydney an intensive staff recruitment campaign began with
the intention of having TEN 10 fully staffed by the first week in
February, 1965.

DECEMBER

The UTSL Board agreed to participate in Australian Programme
Services. TEN purchased one quarter interest on the basis of
equal share holdings and rights with ATN7, ATV10 and HSV7.

1963

MAY

The UTSL Board agreed to request allocation of frequency 10
rather than the other option of 0.

JUNE

A special UTSL Board Meeting was held to discuss the
purchase of programs by the Network. The only agreement
the Board reached at this meeting was to purchase the rights
to The Black and White Minstrels

OCTOBER

The UTSL Board agreed to share the rights and responsibilities to programs purchased by Austarama Television (ATV). Bonanza, The Flinstones, Petticoat Junction, Astro Boy, Gunsmoke and Hazel were amongst the first package of titles purchased.

Construction of ATV Melbourne's headquarters at
Nunawading began. In 1965 the building was given the best
building of the year award by the Victorian Institute of
Architecture.

NOVEMBER

The Postmaster-General issued a licence for UTSL to operate
a commercial television station in the Sydney area for a
period of five years from December 1, 1963.

DECEMEBER

The UTSL Board purchased shares in Brookvale Investments Pty Ltd whose principal asset was a property located on Epping Road, which was considered a suitable location for a television station. The purchase of several other homes and properties along Epping Road, completed the five acre site which became the first home of Channel 10 in Sydney.

The UTSL Board agreed to purchase land at Hampden Road,
Artarmon - the future site for the station's transmitter.

1962

APRIL

ATV telecast its first live VFA Football game. The broadcast continued for 14 years.

Universal Telecasters Queensland Limited was incorporated
in Brisbane.

JUNE

First meeting of United Telecasters Sydney Limited (UTSL)
was held in Sydney. The major shareholders included the
Bank of New South Wales, AWA, CSR, Email, JC Williamson
Theatres and NRMA.